Mermaid Museums, Shows, and Attractions

In 2022, I embarked on a fantastical vanlife adventure. On my way to a mermaid audition in Florida, I stopped to visit some fascinating mermaid museums and attractions.

In this article, I'll be sharing some of those places along with other mermaid attractions that are on my bucket list.

Weeki Wachee State Park

Located in Hernando County, Florida, this park features a first-magnitude freshwater spring, where guests can swim.

What they are really known for is their iconic underwater mermaid shows, featuring swimmers in mermaid tails who use air hoses to breathe during their underwater performances.

Weeki Wachee was opened by Newton Perry, a former Navy diver, in 1947. Mermaid shows began on October 13th, 1947.

"Weeki Wachee" is a Seminole phrase that means "little spring," or "winding river."

The park has many exciting things to do, including swimming at the water park, kayaking and paddleboarding, taking a riverboat cruise, or enjoying a nature walk where you can see birds, fish, interesting plants, and sometimes manatees!

The highlight of a trip to Weeki Wachee is seeing the mermaid show, of course. I was enchanted by the professional mermaids who put on a Little Mermaid show, with dancing, ballet, and underwater theatrics.

For more on Weeki Wachee, read this article next.

Mermaid Museum

If you're planning a trip to Maryland, don't forget to stop by the Mermaid Museum in the town of Berlin. It's an adorable beachy town that is home to one of the coolest little mermaid attractions.

See oddities and mermaid art while learning about mermaid history. There are several great photo ops to take advantage of while there. I couldn't resist running back to my car to grab my MagicTail mermaid tail to take a photo in their giant clamshell.

Mertailor Mermaid Aquarium Encounter

I had the joy of visiting this neat mermaid attraction when I auditioned to be one of their mermaid performers. I didn't make the cut, but I got to tour the facility and swim in their magical tank. They do live mermaid shows and have a mini aquarium where you can see all kinds of sea creatures. If you visit the gift shop you can buy your own swimmable mermaid tail to begin your mermaiding journey.

This mermaid attraction is in Lecanto, Florida, and is definitely worth a visit.

You can now have your own mermaid encounter here! For $225 for kids and teens and $250 for adults, you have the opportunity to have a mermaid lesson and swim in their tank alongside aquatic creatures.

International Mermaid Museum

Step into an enchanting ocean wonderland, dedicated to ocean science education and mermaid mythology. The International Mermaid Museum in Aberdeen, Washington, is a treat to visit, with 40 exhibits featuring mermaid lore from around the world, marine ecology, diving equipment, local ocean history, and stunning coastal decor.

This non-profit museum combines ecology and mermaid lore for a fun and educational experience that only costs $3 per person over 5 years, or $10 for a family.

They don't have permanent live mermaid performers, except for during their mermaid festival in April.

Dive Bar

Located in downtown Sacramento, California, this bar is the definition of nightlife, with DJs, dazzling light shows, and underwater mermaid performances every night!

Dive Bar brings mermaid magic to Sacramento, with mixologists providing aquatic alchemy, and live mermaids swimming in realistic tails in a 40 ft saltwater aquarium suspended above the bar.

This venue is a 21+ bar that is open from 3pm to 2 am.

Renaissance Fairs

It is not uncommon to stumble upon some live mermaids while attending a Renaissance fair. The PA Renaissance Fair is known for having a live mermaid show put on by the Circus Siren Pod mermaids.

These mermaids have their own language, history, and whimsical mannerisms. They put on an interactive show where the mermaids can dive down and retrieve little souvenirs for kids to take home.

Most Ren fairs will have their own mermaid shows, or professional mermaids posing for photos with guests.

Pirate’s Table Calabash Seafood Buffet

Pirate’s Table Calabash Seafood Buffet is the perfect spot for families and groups to enjoy delicious seafood and capture unforgettable memories! No beach getaway is complete without a visit to a seafood buffet.

You'll want to visit during summer months so you can see their live mermaid performers! Real mermaids in tails perform flips and tricks in a 10,000 gallon indoor pool. They interact with kids, hand out shiny trinkets, and pose for photos with guests, making for an enchanting dinner-time experience.

Silverton Casino

In a Las Vegas desert, you'll find an enchanting attraction for mermaid enthusiasts. The Silverton Casino is home to a free aquarium that holds mermaid shows 4 days a week.

Live mermaids swim in a 117,000 gallon aquarium with aquatic fish, sharks, and stringrays. Their mermaids will transport you to a world of fantasy from Thursdays to Sundays.

During their mermaid shows, underwater performers will interact with guests by blowing bubble kisses, posing for photos, and performing tricks.

Don't just watch the mermaids in the aquarium and fantasize about being in there yourself, actually DO it. Silverton Casino has a mermaid class where participants can get a mermaid lesson, take tours, and swim in the tank in mermaid tails, getting great photo ops.

Sip 'N Dip

Visting Great Falls, Montana? Here's a place you have to visit! Located inside the O'Haire Motor Inn, you'll find the Sip 'N Dip tiki lounge. Relax and have a drink while enjoying the mermaids who swim around their tank.

Live mermaid swimmers bring some aquatic ambiance from 6-10 pm. It's not a mermaid show, per se, just some mermaids swimming around to add some magical vibes.

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If you're an avid traveler with an affinity for merfolk, these are some places you must add to your itinerary! You won't regret visiting mermaid museums and attractions around the country. Add these stops to your USA roadtrip and you'll have a fin-tastic time.

About the author

Shello! My name is Mermaid Liv, a professional mermaid and content creator. I share my love of mermaiding through this blog, along with my Youtube channel.

If you've never heard of it before, mermaiding is a hobby, profession, and sport that involves wearing mermaid tails made for swimming.

I began making tails in 2013 and have continued my mermaid journey, starting my Youtube channel, working at a mermaid festival, performing at gigs, and being featured in the Netflix Docu Series MerPeople.

Follow me on Instagram for mermaid photos and videos: @the_real_mermaid_liv and be shore to check out my Youtube channel.